Patients should be able to read their medical records, and physicians need to lead in allowing greater transparency, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
In Canada, patients are legally allowed to see their medical records, although a physician taking up to 90 days to provide this information has been deemed reasonable and there is usually a fee.
"The situation is similar in other jurisdictions: legal rights with hoops and speed bumps," writes Dr. Kirsten Patrick, Deputy Editor, CMAJ.
She argues that patients should be able to easily access their own personal health information to ensure that it is accurate and contains all relevant information.
"Many patients move cities, provinces or countries, and gather a patchy medical record over a lifetime... .a medical record with substantial gaps may result in a patient receiving suboptimal care, which is not in the best interest of either the patient or the physician."
Studies indicate that allowing patients to access their health records can be beneficial and does not severely burden the health care system.
"The vast majority of patients surveyed across studies reported feeling more in control of their care and more likely to adhere to medication when they could access their notes," writes Dr. Patrick. "The burden on physicians appeared to be minimal, and no adverse events were reported."
Although putting personal health records in the hands of patients is important, concerns such as security, the need for clear and respectful physician notes, and limits to access are important to address. For example, patients should be allowed to leave comments and update contact information but should not be able to change or delete information given the illegality of erasing or falsifying the record (e.g., deleting a history of depression).
Many physicians already provide health records to their patients. Now is the time for full transparency across Canada.
"It is no longer appropriate for physicians to want to conceal their version of a patient's story from the patient. Proper shared decision-making depends on a story on which both agree," concludes Dr. Patrick.